STILL GOING STRONG…

woman @ work

Shaheen Atiq-ur-Rehman is a social worker and politician. She was born in April 1948 at Sialkot. She obtained the degree of M.A (Administrative Sciences) in 1971 and that of LLB in 1975 from University of the Punjab, Lahore. She served as a Lady Councilor, L.M.C. and remained a member of Provincial Council during 1984-1985. She also remained Member, Punjab Assembly during 1985-88 and also served as Minister for Social Welfare & Women’s Development during that period. She returned to Punjab Assembly for the second term in General Elections 2002 on a reserved seat.

Shaheen Atiq-ur-Rehman was awarded Communes Medal in 1998 by UNESCO in Paris for getting international recognition for her work in literacy and also received Presidential Award Aziza-e-Fazilat by the Government of Pakistan. She has extensively travelled abroad as representative of Pakistan Government; and has visited nearly 32 countries including USA, UK, Belgium, Japan, China, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, France, Indonesia, Mangolia etc.

She is currently the Executive Director of Bunyad. In an exclusive interview with You! this seasoned politician, who has 20+ years experience in the fields of literacy, education, gender, and women empowerment, talks about her work and shares her experiences as an executive director of Bunyad…

You! Not many women are on senior positions as you have been. How was your overall experience?

Shaheen Atiq-ur-Rehman: I was fortunate to be on senior positions. My overall experience was overwhelming. It was an exciting journey from being a councilor to MPA. I got a chance to travel extensively which was a great learning experience.

You! How long have you been attached with Bunyad Foundation?

SAR: Since 1994. The Foundation began its educational interventions in January 2000 and, to date, has implemented twenty-six projects and programs in eight districts of the Punjab province. Bunyad Literacy Community Council Implemented 3 phases of Mobile Based Literacy Programme (Supported by UNESCO) under my supervision and made 2,750 rural female literate so far.

You! Can you tell us a bit about Bunyad Foundation?

SAR: Bunyad is a non-governmental organization, working for the promotion of education, and women rights. Bunyad Foundation’s main objective is to alleviate poverty within Pakistan. They have worked on empowering the underprivileged community across different villages in Pakistan by providing formal and informal education, vocational training, mobile-phone literacy and capacity building programs. They have won various awards for their efforts including the Communications Medal, UNESCO, Paris, 1998 for innovative work in literacy; King Sejong Prize, UNESCO, Paris, 2002 for the best NGO for promotion of literacy; and Presidential Award of Aziz-e-Fazilat for literacy promotion.

You! What are your current areas of focus?

SAR: Education is one of the primary areas of concern for Bunyad Foundation, as our organization holds the belief that educating children from neglected communities can lead to tangible social change. In the education sector, Bunyad Foundation intervened in 835 schools located in far-flung areas of eight districts of rural Punjab, a program through which 78,980 children became direct beneficiaries in terms of enrollment, retention, and improved learning outcomes via quality education.

You! What do you like most about your work?

SAR: Giving without getting anything is wondrous, like the fragrance of flowers!

You! Being a woman on a senior position, what kinds of challenges do you encounter?

SAR: Many, but you have to sacrifice... if you want to achieve anything. Starting with burying your ego!

You! You were also an MPA. What perks did you enjoy at that time?

SAR: Power is a heady wine but my toughest critics were my parents and they kept my feet strongly on the ground.

You! What may be the downside of being in politics?

SAR: None. However, the best nursery for politics is the Local Govt System (LGS), level! Only with that, any developmental process takes place. Unfortunately here, between egos and mafias, and power-brokers, the Governance of the majority, the LGS was never allowed to thrive.

You! Your honest opinion about Pakistani women politicians…

SAR: If the intellectual level is the same, the results could be the same. Give women politicians their fair share and they can prove their worth.

You! What’s the secret of being successful (professionally) in any field?

SAR: Work with consistency, honesty and passion. There are no short cuts in life.

You! What are the positive points of being economically independent? (for women in general)

SAR: You get confidence in your own ability and have an opportunity to help others, e.g. mothers improve the nutrition level of their children when they have their own money.

You! What is the most important advice you can give to women?

SAR: Give strength to one another. Jealousy and backbiting are negative traits, try to stay away from them.

You! What does a typical day look like for you?

SAR: Making efforts to make a difference in the lives of others. I am committed to my work and I am still going strong, (grins).

You! How do you keep a balance between family life and work?

SAR: Weekends and evenings for pets and family.

You! How do you unwind?

SAR: Music, reading, TV and my pets.